Steve Wilks 'excited' about Robert Nkemdiche, says DT 'is taking the next step'

Entering his third NFL season without having done much as a former first-round pick and working under a new coaching staff, defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche has a lot of eyes on him. So far, coach Steve Wilks is very pleased with what he has seen from the team’s first-round pick.

“I think right now when you look at our defense, I think Robert is taking the next step,” Wilks said after practice Tuesday. “He does a great job of coming off the ball and penetrating. The one thing we emphasize across the board is about using our weapons and it starts with our eyes, hands, hips and feet. He does a great job on every play trying to master that.”

This seems to be a consistent message. Wilks said earlier in the offseason that Nkemdiche came in with the right mentality. Teammate Corey Peters has echoed that sentiment, saying he is doing more of the little things to be a pro.

Nkemdiche is known for having an interesting personality. The Cardinals have not tried to change that and Wilks said his third-year DT “has embraced that because we allow Robert to be Robert, and as long as he’s working hard and working towards the common goal of this team, I’m fine, and that’s what he has been doing.”

Wilks, of course, made it a point to say Nkemdiche isn’t there yet.

“I’ve seen that improvement and I’m excited about where he is but, once again, it’s early,” he said. “Once we get the pads on and see preseason games, we’ll see where he is.”

Having Nkemdiche playing at a level he is capable of is going to be critical for the defense. Wilks’ mantra has been how “it all starts up front.” If the Cardinals can get production inside to match the production they will get from Chandler Jones and Markus Golden, the defense in 2018 will be very good.